Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 75 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 75, in the owner's own words
I just replaced the battery in my 2004 chevy Silverado 1500 with only 97,000 miles on it, and i went to drive it down the road and the vehicle now loses power and cuts off making a left turn.. It did this twice and i parked it.. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE in my opinion.. PLEASE investigate the issue and report back to me please..
I STARTED TO NOTICE MY BRAKES AND STEERING COMPONENTS ARE VERY UNSAFE, MY STEERING WHEEL HAS TO MUCH PLAY, SOMETHING INSIDE THE STEERING MAKES A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE WHEN I HIT A BUMP, THE BRAKES DON?T OPERATE CORRECTLY, THE TRUCK SHAKES AND MAKES THE STEERING VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES DUE TO THE SHAKING AND VIBRATION. I WAS TOLD IT MIGHT BE LEAKING HYDRAULIC FLUID. BUT TO SUM IT ALL UP TODAY ON 06-02-2020, I REALIZED THE TRUCK IS ONLY GETTING WORSE AND GETTING HARDER TO STEER AND THE BRAKES CAUSE THE STEERING TO MAKE IT EVEN HARDER TO DRIVE WITH ALL THE SHAKING AND PULLING TO THE SIDE AND ALSO I NOTICED THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL BE REALLY HARD AT TIMES AND THEN REALLY LIGHT AT TIMES. *TR
THE LOSS OF STEERING CAUSED MY 2004 SILVERADO 1500 TO VEER TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY WHILE GOING STRAIGHT. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED VEERING TO THE LEFT, DESPITE ME TRYING TO GAIN CONTROL OF IT. THE VEHICLE LEFT THE HIGHWAY AND ENTERED A SANDY FIELD. I APPLIED BRAKES WITH ALL OF MY FOOT FORCE, BUT THE TRUCK SEEMED NOT TO SLOW UP ANY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOW HEADED TOWARDS A WOODED AREA. THE TRUCK SUDDENLY CAME TO A SUDDEN HALT WHEN IT IMPACTED WITH A BIG PINE TREE. THE AIRBAGS EXPLODED AGAINST MY ARMS AS I USED THEM TO SHIELD MY FACE. I SUDDENLY NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I GRABBED MY PURSE AND HURRIEDLY VACATED THE VEHICLE. I CALLED 911 AFTER GETTING FAR ENOUGH FROM THE SMOKING TRUCK. I SUFFERED BACK AND NECK PAIN. I HAD DIZZY SPELLS, BECAUSE MY HEAD FELT LIKE A HUMONGOUS BASKETBALL. I AM FORTUNATE THAT I DID NOT LOOSE MY LIFE. I WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF A RECALL OF A STEERING COMPONENT. I AM FOR CERTAIN THAT THIS ACCIDENT WAS DUE TO A MALFUNCTION OF A STEERING COMPONENT ON MY 2004 SILVERADO 1500. I RECEIVED NO LETTER OR PHONE CALL MAKING ME AWARE OF THE RECALL. THIS NEGLIGENCE ALMOST GOT ME KILLED. THE VEHICLE IMPACT INTO THE PINE TREE CAUSED A TOTAL LOSS OF MY SILVERADO. I WILL BE CONTACTING MY INSURANCE COMPANY TO MAKE THEM AWARE OF THIS INFORMATION. ALL THESE YEARS I HAVE BEEN BEWILDERED ABOUT WHY MY SILVERADO VEERED OFF THE ROAD FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I DESCRIBED THE INCIDENT LIKE A TWIGHTLIGHT MOMENT (A WEIRD UNEXPLAINED HAPPENING).
I HEAR CLUNKS IN THE MOTOR COMPARTMENT AND I FEEL THEM IN THE STEERING COLUMN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000....UPDATED 05-10-16 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE COLUMN LINK DISENGAGED FROM THE GEAR BOX AND HE LOST TOTAL ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED AND RE-ATTACHED THE COLUMN TO THE GEAR BOX CORRECTLY. UPDATED 05/16/16. *JB
TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP FOR PULSATING BRAKES AND A WEIRD 'CLUNKING' NOISE/FEEL IN THE STEERING WHEN CORNERING. THEY REPLACED THE ROTOR ASSEMBLY, BUT NEVER LOCATED THE CAUSE OF THE STEERING ISSUE. THIS ISSUE HAS CONTINUED TO THIS DAY. LAST WEEK I MET ANOTHER CHEVY SILVERADO OWNER WHO HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAD RECEIVED A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. I'VE NEVER BEEN NOTIFIED NOR HAVE I SEEN THE BULLETIN ON THIS SITE (HE RECOMMENDED THIS SITE TO OBTAIN THE DATA). HIS VEHICLE WAS THE SAME MAKE & MODEL, BUT ONE YEAR OLDER (MINE IS A 2004). THIS 'CLUNKING' NOISE/FEEL IS CONSISTENT WHEN TURNING CORNERS IN EITHER DIRECTION. IT EFFECTS THE PERFORMANCE FEEL OF THE VEHICLE. AND LEAVES US WONDERING IF THE STEERING BOX IS ABOUT TO FALL APART AT ANY MOMENT. PLEASE ADVISE IF RECALL HAS IN FACT BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS MAKE & MODEL YEAR. *TR
THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A KNOCKING NOISE, THAT CAN BE FELT IN THE STEERING AND BRAKE PEDAL. THE DEALER REPLACED A SHAFT THAT CONNECTED TO THE STEERING SECTOR. THE FIX CORRECTED IT FOR A WHILE. THE PROBLEM CAME BACK. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE PART NEEDED TO BE REMOVED AND GREASED EVERY 15000 MILES. I SAID ,WHY DOES IT NOT HAVE GREASE FITTINGS? OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS I HAVE TALKED TO NUMEROUS PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I SENT GM AN E-MAIL ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, NEVER GOT AN ANSWER. I DO GET LETTERS FROM GM WANTING ME TRADE FOR A NEW ONE. WHY PAY $40 TO $50 THOUSAND FOR A VEHICLE THAT THE MANUFACTURER WONT STAND BEHIND? [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE ODOMETER HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE APPROXIMATELY FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000. UPDATED 9/17/13*CN THE RACK AND PINION, STEERING COLUMN AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO REPLACED. ALSO, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED.
TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT STEERING NEEDS TO BE TIGHTENED AND THAT THERE IS POSSIBLY A RECALL ON STEERING COLUMN, EVIDENTLY THERE ARE LOTS OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS MECHANISM. FROM SEEING COMPLIANT LISTS. NEED TO KNOW IF THERE WAS A RECALL. WOULD APPRECIATE CORRESPONDENCE ON THIS PROBLEM. FROM GM. *TR
THE STEERING MECHANISM HAS GONE OUT ON MY 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO HALF TON PU 4 TIMES IN 100,000 MILES, THE FIRST TIME AT APPROXIMATELY 32,000 MILES. YOU START FEELING PLAY AND KNOCKING IN THE STEERING COLUMN. I GET IT REPAIRED WHEN I START FEELING THE KNOCK. THE MECHANICS HAVE SAID THAT THEY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE STEERING MECHANISM IN MOST SILVERADOS OF THAT AGE SEVERAL TIMES. IT SEEMS THE STEERING IS A SAFETY ISSUE & THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. IT HAS COST ABOUT $900 EACH TIME TO REPAIR IT. EVEN THE REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE DEFECTIVE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PERSONAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE BRAKE LINE WAS RUSTED COMPLETELY AND THE ENTIRE BRAKE LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,000. ..UPDATED 09/07/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD A TOTAL BRAKE LINE FAILURE. ALL LINES HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THERE HAS BEEN ALOT OF THIS FAILURE BETWEEN 2000 AND 2005 PICK UPS. UPDATED 09/17/2012 *JS
I CAN HEAR A THUMPING COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN I HIT A BUMP OR TURN TO THE LEFT. I CAN ALSO FEEL IT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALER SAID THIS IS A DEFECTIVE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT AND A KNOWN ISSUE BY GM.
POWER STEERING LOCKS UP IN RIGHT TURNS AND BACKING. ELECTRICAL,IE. SPEEDOMETER, HEATER BLOWER FAN SWITCH, FOUR WHEEL DRIVE SELECTOR CHANGES FROM 2 WHEEL HIGH TO AUTOMATIC FOUR WHEEL DRIVE BY IT SELF. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH MAKING A RIGHT TURN HE HEARD A LOUD CLANKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING SHAFT. THE FAILURE ONLY HAPPENED WHENEVER HE MADE A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN. THE FAILURE HAD BEEN ON GOING SINCE 2006. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE FAILURE. HE WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THEY HAD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE FAILURE BUT IT WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. HE STATED THAT OVER TIME THE FAILURE HAD BECOME PROGRESSIVE WORSE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,472. UPDATED 04/15/11*LJ UPDATED 1/13/2012 *LN
I HAVE A 2004 SILVERADO Z71 WHICH HAS A CLUNKING NOISE WHICH ALSO CAN BE FELT IN THE STEERING.. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE TRUCK FROM TO ASK IF THEY COULD FIX THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THIS IS A KNOWN, BY GENERAL MOTORS, PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE, BUT THEY WOULD NOT FIX IT, BECAUSE I WAS NOT A "LOYAL" CUSTOMER. WHEN QUESTIONED, THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID BECAUSE I DID NOT BRING MY VEHICLE TO THEM FOR LUBE/OIL CHANGES (WHICH COST MORE FOR THEM TO PERFORM THAN OTHER PLACES) I WAS CONSIDERED NOT TO BE LOYAL TO WHEELER CHEVROLET!! TRUCK HAD LESS THAN 50K ON THE ODOMETER. *TR
I OWN A 2004 CHEVY SILVERADO Z71 4 WHEEL DRIVE EXTENDED CAB PICKUP. THE STEERING SHAFT MAKES A RUBBING, GRINDING SOUND WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY THOUGHT IT WAS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT BUT PROBABLY A BEARING ON THE SHAFT. THE TRUCK WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WOULD NOT COVER IT. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE STEERING SHAFT COULD FAIL WHILE DRIVING. THE INTERNET IS FULL OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT AND FEARS. THERE SEEMS TO BE NO CONCERN FROM GENERAL MOTORS. I FEEL THEY SHOULD BE FORCED TO MAKE GOOD ON THIS WIDESPREAD DEFECT. *TR
THE FAILURE THAT I AM EXPERIENCING IS AN AWFUL POPPING, CRACKING, CLUNKING, AND GROWLING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO THIS FAILURE WERE SIMPLY NORMAL, EVERYDAY USE. THE VEHICLE THAT I AM EXPERIENCING THIS WITH IS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 Z71 WITH THE 5.3 V8 4X4 WITH. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE YET TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM BECAUSE I FEEL IT IS GM'S RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX THEIR DEFECTIVE PRODUCT AT THEIR COST. *TR
I WAS EXITING A HIGHWAY TRAVELING 35-40 MILES PER HOUR. THE ROAD HAD A SLIGHT TURN TO THE RIGHT WITH A SMALL PUDDLE OF WATER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TURN. WHEN I HIT THE PUDDLE MY TRUCK BEGAN TO FISHTAIL. I FIRST THOUGHT I WAS HYDROPLAINING BUT WHEN I TRIED TO DO CORRECTIVE STEERING NOTHING WAS WORKING. THE SWERVING GOT MORE AND MORE VIOLENT AND MOVE THE TRUCK THROUGH 3 LANES OF POSSIBLE ON COMING TRAFFIC. WHEN I REACHED THE BERM ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD THERE WAS A LOUD BANG AND MY TRUCK CANTO A SUDDEN STOP. I THOUGHT THAT I HIT THE GUARDRAIL AND WHEN I LOOKED IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR I SAW MAY SPARE TIRE WHICH WAS MOUNTED UNDER THE BED OF MY TRUCK LAYING ON THE GROUND BEHIND ME. I EXITED MY TRUCK AND SAW I NEVER HIT THE GUARDRAIL AND THE LOUD BANG WAS WHEN THE TIRE BROOK FREE AND BENT OUT MY REAR FENDER. IT SOON BECAME EVIDENT THAT THE SPARE TIRE HANGER CAME LOOSE FROM PART OF THE BRACKET THAT WAS HOLDING IT INPLACE AND WAS SWINGING BACK AND FORTH UNTIL THE PART OF THE HANGER THAT WAS BOLTED ON FINALLY BROKE AND RELEASED THE TIRE. WHILE SWINGING BACK AND FORTH IT DAMAGED ONE OF THE SHOCKS, BENT MY TAILPIPE AND KNOCKED IT OF ITS HANGER AND DID SOME DAMAGE TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TRUCK I WAS VERY LUCKY BECAUSE THE LIGHT FOR THE ON COMING TRAFFIC WAS RED AND ALL POTENTIAL HARM AND PROPERTY DAMAGE WAS AVOIDED. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN SEPTEMBER 2009, HE NOTICED A WHINING NOISE WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN. THE FAILURE PROGRESSED AND BECAME A RATTLING NOISE. IN JANUARY 2010, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING AT ALL WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 34,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,016.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHENEVER THE CONTACT WOULD TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT HE NOTICED A GROWLING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN ESPECIALLY WHEN SWITCHING LANES. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE GEAR BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 49,300 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48,500.
STARTED HEARING CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN JUST ABOUT TIME RAN OUT OF WARRANTY 36K MILES DEALERSHIPS SAID IT WAS NORMAL,DIDN'T DRIVE TRUCK OFTEN IS 2004 SILVERADO BUT SINCE IT HAS INCREASED CAN FEEL IN STEERING WHEEL,CHECKED ONLINE FOR ANY RECALLS(NONE) FOR THIS PROBLEM WITH TRUCK BUT LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME,DEALERS DO A QUICK FIX PACK WITH GREASE AND SEND YOU ON,DOESN'T FIX PROBLEM. *TR
I HAVE A 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO WITH STEERING NOISE PROBLEM. FROM READING MANY FORUMS AND ADVICE FROM MANY MECHANICS THEY SAY THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE WITH CHEVY TRUCKS BUT THEY WONT PROVIDE A FIX. WHEN DRIVING MY STEERING WHEEL MAKES LOUD NOISES HEARD FROM INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE TRUCK. I BELIEVE IT IS A STEERING SHAFT ISSUE. IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME THAT THE SHAFT ITSELF GIVES OUT AND CAUSES A MAJOR ACCIDENT. CHEVROLET SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM SINCE IT IS WIDELY SHOWN THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE. MY FAMILY DOESN'T WANT TO BE IN THE TRUCK BECAUSE THEY FEEL IT IS UNSAFE. ANY HELP WITH THIS WOULD BE GREAT AS I TRULY BELIEVE THAT IF NOT FIXED OVERTIME IT WILL CAUSE FATAL STEERING PROBLEMS. THANKS. *TR
LOSS OF POWER STEERING (IN ONE DIRECTION ONLY) AT LOW SPEEDS. AFFECTS ABILITY TO PARK VEHICLE IN TIGHT SPOTS AND TO MAKE SLOW TURNS. HAVE MANAGED TO AVOID A ACCIDENT. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR OVER A YEAR AND OVER THE LAST 15,000 MILES. THREE DIFFERENT MECHANICS GAVE VARIOUS POSSIBLE REASONS BUT NO ONE, INCLUDING THE GM SERVICE LINE, COULD GIVE A DEFINITE CURE. WAS TOLD "COULD TRY" POWER STEERING PUMP, STEERING BOX, ETC. ALL WERE COSTLY SOLUTIONS WITH NO GUARANTEE OF CURE. *TR
2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO EXTENDED CAB, POOR BRAKING. REPLACED BRAKES AND ROTORS AND STILL HAVE POOR BRAKING. HAVE TO BEAR DOWN ON PEDAL TO STOP. SPEEDOMETER READING GOES UP AND DOWN ON IT'S OWN. HAD A SPEED SENSOR REPLACED BUT DIDN'T CORRECT THE PROBLEM HAD THE DEALERSHIP REPLACE STEERING COUPLING IN STEERING COLUMN BECAUSE OF CLUNKING IN THE STEERING. THE CLUNKING, LOOSE FEELING HAS STARTED AGAIN. *TR
2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO STEERING ARM KNOCKING LOUD. *TR
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